Covering the News or Creating Hysteria

A shooting on Saturday night at a QT I think shows two ways to cover a story, one explains what happened, while another version could create hysteria. I am referring to KWCH and KAKE. KSN must have arrived later and they didn't have any witnesses or anything. Not that it was necessarily bad nor good, but it was safe and didn't really offer much of anything to discuss.
Lets start with KWCH. Their story explained what happened, had some neighbors nearby who explained what they saw and everything. I believe of what I saw that is as far as they went. They gave the facts as what people near there knew and that was it. They might have said the store had been closed a few times in the past dealing with various criminal matters, but that is as far as they went. It told me what I needed to know and didn't make people come to assumptions on camera. Good for a day turn story.
Over at KAKE, they were off to a fine start, talking to authorities and then witnesses similar to KWCH. KAKE reporter Abby Barnett should have stopped while she was ahead. Unfortunately she had to go the cliche route of sticking microphones into people's cars and other people with no ties to this actual scene other than that they live in the area. Of course she gets the token bites of how people now are scared to go to the gas station and how this really worries them. Maybe there is something gained out of this, I think all it does is creates the hysteria, rather than solely sticking to the facts and reporting on the news. If the people went up to her and said that this is happening all the time and they are afraid at night to walk out, its still a little cliche, but would be a little more acceptable. It looked from the interviews of people in cars, these people didn't know exactly what happened, until a reporter briefed them and then the reaction creating the hysteria. When local news sometimes think too hard to manufacture angles on daily turn stories this can happen. -Hal

KWCH Version :http://www.kwch.com/global/story.asp?s=7147078
KAKE Version:http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/10130706.html

The QT Shooting Trial

The last post and comments following has opened up discussion on 3 topics. I want to limit that post to discussion on the questions someone wanted to know about the business in the Wichita TV market and then the discussion which opened up on weather. A 3rd topic developed regarding the QT shooting trial. I'd like the comments on this post to be solely on the later.

There hasn't been a lot, but certainly a few posts regarding Wednesday's events at the trial of a man accused of shooting a clerk at a QT over a year ago. On Wednesday, the Prosecution showed surveillance video from the store which show the accused walking into the store and shooting the clerk. I think it is very interesting to see how the 3 stations dealt with the issue. I only saw KWCH's version at 6PM and was surprised at how they showed the arm of the defendant going up to the counter than froze just moments before the gun was fired. When I first saw this I remembered thinking it was a little crazy, but that was as far as I thought about it. Tonight reading a couple of the comments I then began to search to see what the others did with the story. KAKE has a story posted which shows the victim before the shooting in the store behind the counter and even shows the defendant walking into the counter and then cuts to a shot of a stretcher moving the victim. As a previous poster said, you can see a dark spot on the floor, probably blood. Meanwhile, according to an earlier commentor, KSN does not show any of the tape. A previous comment wanted to know if they were even there or if it was a decision on their part not to run it. I haven't seen their coverage yet and am curious to know how they handled it. Thanks to the link from a commenter, for a response by Jason Kravarik saying it was KSN's decision not to show the tape.
http://www.ksn.com/news/local/7258401.html

So lets hear it on the post. If you were news director what would you have run. Would you have shown everything leading up to the moment before the gun is fired (KWCH), or show the scene before of the clerk behind the counter and then the defendant walking in and stopping before he reaches for gun, but show the stretcher leaving what appears to be a dark spot of blood on the carpet (KAKE) or show none of the scene video (KSN) . As of now KWCH nor KSN has links to their stories on the trial. Here is the link to KAKE story if you haven't seen it. I am curious to hear your comments on the matter. -Hal
http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/10057211.html

Wichita TV News 101

I have received a similar comment like this one a couple of times over the last month:



Anonymous said...
What size market is Wichita?Now, I'm curious what Wichita intern reporters make. Is Wichita a stepping stone for most professions? Engineering, business or medical? Seems like the big bucks are elsewhere.



So I thought I'd open this up to comments from you who are in the business in Wichita or those from other markets who read this blog. First my comments:



I have said this many times and some view this as a shot at stations here and the reporters here. Although Wichita has always seen itself as a stepping stone for some, many made and still do make their careers here in Wichita. I think increasingly Wichita is becoming or at least seems as a first stop, rather than 2nd or 3rd stop, for some reporters. A few years ago, a good reporter could probably make it here after 1-2 years maybe even 3-4 before landing here. Today and especially more so in the future, the move of Wichita to a starter's market will have a lot to do with the economics and business pressures of local TV. You ask about the market size of Wichita. Wichita actually drops two places for the 2008 classifications as done by Nielsen to #69. A real quick overview. NY is #1, LA #2, Chicago #3, Dallas #5, Denver #18, Kansas City #31, Oklahoma City #45, Tulsa #60, Topeka #139, Joplin #145 and St. Joe #201. To be honest your best bet may be markets like St. Joe, Joplin and Topeka or even a bureau of a Wichita station to start. It might be rough, but you may learn more there than you did in college. As for salaries I don't know, so I would open it up to comments. Obviously the more experience and the higher the market, means more money, but its important to say the higher the market, may not mean that the job experience can be better. I think some here in a middle market like Wichita might argue that about jumping up. They have families, (some don't) and like their communities they live in and are perfectly happy at where they are at. As far as the term, "intern reporter," I am a little confused. Maybe that's a common term. I would assume that means basically a rookie reporter. If you are referring to interns, most in any aspect of the media business, large or small market, aren't paid. Like I said I don't know much about salaries, but I have heard stories in small markets of reporters commonly being out earned by waitresses.
As for you readers who are in the business, since you are in the field, what should this person know about the basics of the business? Any help on a rough guide to salaries in a market this size? I tried to stay off my soap box, somewhat. Please comment on anything I left out or you think I am wrong with. -Hal

The Online World: The Universe Untapped

A commenter wanted my view on the online offerings by the TV stations. I thought I might have posted awhile back on this, but think I have a few new things to say.
I really don't know the answer to this, so if you know, please reply back. Of the 3 stations, how many of them have staff dedicated only to the web full time? I think it is pivotal at this point as the medium develops and changes for stations to make strong commitments to the web and development. They should have staffs of at least one full time person, if not two, developing content exclusive to the web sites.
Looking at the stations I think they have a long ways to go. Thinking about what I was going to write, I think the local sites haven't developed to where they could be. I think they need to adapt with the philosophy of "Thinking Outside the Box." Blogs, viewing documents, seeing full length press conferences, and seeing stories aired on TV should be considered the standard of online sites and not something to get excited about as web extras or exclusives. If one of the stations put some resources into the web and had some unique offerings I think they really could run away from the competition and really set themselves apart as people become increasingly dependent on the web.
It seems like the stations have an idea of where they could and need to go, but still need to be devoted to it. The idea for fans and stringers to post videos is smart and great for high school sports, but still is a long ways off. As of 10:30 Saturday morning only 1 of the 3 stations had video of Friday's games posted. KWCH's site (Catchitkansas.com) had the most updated content from what appeared to be videos shot by KWCH staff. The video submitted by viewers needs some work as a homecoming game from North-Southeast game from '98 keeps popping up if you click on that. To be honest, none of the stations viewer submitted sites work that well yet.
Lets take KAKE as an example of something they could do as a web offering. With KAKE's vast archive stories you see on their cable show, "The Video Vault," I think they should have a time machine area where you can view big stories from the past. This might be a lame idea, but I do what I can on a Saturday morning. KAKers, use this idea if you want, I wont charge you. They have the video as seen on their cable show, and I would find it hard to believe that the others would have it as readily available as they do. Its about playing to the strengths you already have and repackaging them for the internet.
For KSN, the online offerings need work, but at least they have the BOGO channel. (That was said tongue in cheek.) Often viewed as the 3rd channel in town, I think they have the most to be gained from the internet. All bottom stations in any market could really gain a lot if they were able to win over the online audience. -Hal

No News = Crimestoppers?

I guess as far as news goes, Wednesday must have been a slow news day. KAKE leads with a story about Crimestoppers and how they are catching bad guys. I guess they have had some luck lately on some high profile cases, but I still am wondering, what the news is on that. Isn't the purpose of Crimestoppers to catch bad guys? In the actual story, the details of cases getting solved and guys arrested was buried. If those facts were at the top of the story than this non-story could have been more of a story. Even for those who argue it is news, is it worth leading the newscast? #2 it appears it was more of a PR stint for KAKE. I am generally not a fan of showing clips of your own newscast in a story. There will be exceptions, but this was a case of the story being less about news and more about PR. Although KAKE loves to push crime stories I seem to remember they hadn't always done Crimestoppers. I seem to remember we used to get to see those fine looking mug shots on KSN of the Most Wanted or as I liked to call them "Thug of the Day." Come to think of it, I don't see those anymore on KSN so maybe KAKE has picked up Crimestoppers now and are trying to let people know they are responsible for catching bad guys by airing Crimestoppers. I think that should be more a job of their promotions machine and rather than a lead news story. -Hal

The Arena Bids (BID): The Tale of 2 Stories

I watched the 3 stations last night and went to bed thinking the construction for the new arena might cost a couple of million dollars less than what the county planned on spending. I believe all 3 stations emphasized this fact. I then rolled out of bed this morning, grabbed the morning paper and was confused by the headline that the arena will cost $60 Million dollars more than expected. Confused? I was. I guess if you really read and watch the stories, I think the TV stations and newspaper are both right, but its a tad confusing. The TV stations were looking purely at facts given to them Yesterday at the bid process. Based on estimates made by the county board before the bids (I should say bid) was opened, the chair said the bid for the building construction was $3 million less than they expected RECENTLY. That's the key. The Wichita Eagle did a bit more digging to see that the bid for the building construction (not including parking operations, etc.) is actually $60 million more than the figure given to voters when they approved it nearly 3 years ago. Here are the links to the newspaper and 2 of the TV stations' stories on the internet (KSN's isn't posted). Judge for yourself, did the TV stations miss a story or did the newspaper make too much of the $60 million? I am curious to hear your opinions on this one.-Hal

Wichita Eagle - http://kansas.com/news/story/175697.html
KAKE - http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/9791667.html
KWCH - http://kwch.com/Global/story.asp?S=7075683

The Race out of Wichita

The last post spawned some interesting comments based on a couple of reporters leaving KAKE for jobs in Nashville and Kansas City. I said in a comment that although I am not a fan of the KAKE style it does seem if you look at larger market stations, there are more in your face scanner chasing formats which needs reporters. KAKE has done this so it creates a nice tape for its reporters filled with live shots of shootings, car wrecks and other such, "breaking news." I am not saying that the reporters are bad and cannot tell other stories, I am just saying it does provide plenty of material for resume tapes. I then wrote that the question comes down to whether reporters can stay at these stations and do the high pressured breaking news (and not good stories you'll remember months later) every minute of the day or be driven or burned out. Another commenter questioned the statement about not being able to do good stories you remember months later, writing:

High pressured breaking news is what these reporters live for. Stories that won't be remembered??? BTK and Greensburg were huge national stories.

That I think right there sums up the problems with the art of television. To many, good television is merely the subject or topic matter: BTK and Greensburg. I will be the first to admit there were well executed stories which came out of both situations, however the subjects that bring good storytelling are often shoved aside for the easy elements of a big story like BTK and Greensburg. Many let a good story rest solely on the topic and not on the craftsmanship of the story. Do people need to know the news of the day, of course, but for some reason the audience or the people who think they know what the audience wants, think they like the in-your-face breaking news format. Ratings wise, I think this format can definitely improve them hence make sales people and GMs happy. Just because they are happy and the industry may say "every body's doing it," doesn't necessarily make it right. -Hal

KSN: A Houston TV Station?? and "Searching for..." on KAKE

If you didn't know better you would have thought KSN was the NBC affiliate in Houston on Wednesday. Based solely on Dave, you would have thought this tropical storm (NOT a hurricane) was baring down on his town and not Houston for the time he spent on it. Previous comments have discussed KSN now leading off with weather and that being a bad thing on a slow day. It now seems Dave will treat any weather event as if it is a coming down on his own town. I think, I have no choice, but to now issue for KSN a permanent, Severe Weather Woody. No matter a sunny day in Wichita, or a passing storm in Uganda, don't be shocked to see KSN treating it as if a tornado or blizzard was blowing through Wichita.
Also KAKE must have turned its scanners on again on Wednesday after missing breaking news the other day. They led off with a chase that injured a Deputy. It was the end of the cast that proved humorous when they go to show the suspect involved and suddenly a black screen with a corner graphic of the Chiefs pops up. Susan Peters talks about authorities, "searching for. . . . . . . not the chiefs." It can happen anytime to anyone in TV, especially in breaking situations and that one was funny. -Hal

Leading off WITHOUT the News

With Football, KWCH was late because of a late afternoon game and KSN late with the prime time game, KAKE was the first with the 10PM news, without it. They lead off with a story of how the hunter population is dwindling. They must of had their scanners off. Meanwhile KWCH starts about 15 minutes late and leads with a body found and KSN follows about 15 minutes later with the same story. Now hold on, I am the first to admit I don't get overly excited about the latest shooting or stabbing or other crime and I have chastised stations who go overboard. But as a station who meticulously promotes they are the station for breaking news, KAKE certainly was not it Tonight. -Hal

Reader Request

Anon #7 from the previous post wanted my thoughts on KSN going to a full hour of news at Noon, NBC adding a fourth hour of the Today show, and moving "Regis and Kelly" to 11AM. Lets go to the later first. I could really care less when Regis and Kelly runs because I never see them and not a real fan of the show. But if the Noon show ratings go up, I hope they give Regis some credit. Correct me if I am wrong, but I think the lead-in now to the Noon show are paid infomercials.

As for NBC adding a 4th hour of today, I seem to remember when the idea was first hatched a year or more ago, some affiliates were upset because it would interfere with local ad time. Is this correct? I guess if KSN is running infomercials now at 11, you would think that would cut off that revenue, although its much better for the station not to run paid stuff before a newscast, even if it is Noon.

As for the soon to be hour long Noon show. I wasn't aware it was happening, although I think a commenter said something about it awhile back. I checked on the TV Guide web site listings and sure enough starting next week it will be a full hour. Maybe it has something to do with salvaging some of the local ad time and revenue lost (if indeed some is lost) from the 4th hour of Today. For my dollar, as much as I am pro Stephanie (she is my favorite anchor on KSN, male or female) I still will watch Kim Setty on KWCH. Thinking more about this topic, I think KSN had an hour long show a number of years ago and that was a time when they had more staff. Many days they are barely able to get the day's news on. Take example, Wednesday at 6PM, when the NAACP announced they are asking the FBI and the Department of Justice to investigate the Wichita Police Department. KAKE and KWCH were live, while KSN barely had mention. Now I will say the other two's coverage might have been slightly over doing it, but does KSN have staff to devote to a Noon audience which has to be less than their evening newscasts, even for KSN, and still cover all of the day's events? Curious to hear your views and answers to some of the questions I asked in the post. -Hal